Waterproof stocking protector



April 9, 1929. R. VRABEK WATERPROOF STOCKING PROTECTOR Filed Feb. .1, 1928 INVENTOR ficzdolpk Wdba/r ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 9 1929.

UNITED STATES RUDOLPH VRABEK, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

WATERPRODF STOCKING PROTECTOR.

Application filed February This invention relates generally to protectors, and has more particular reference to a novel waterproof leg and stocking protector.

The invention has for an object the pro- 6 vision of a device of the class mentioned which is of simple "durable construction, desirable and efficient in use, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

The protector device preferably extends from the foot of a wearer to a small distance below the wearersknee. of the device is made of waterproof material. preferably sheet rubber. The upper and lower edges of the body member, which are the points of greatest stress during use, are reinforced by thickened or doubled material. An arch strap is arranged at the bottom of the body member to engage the arch of' a wearers shoe. The body member may have an open 2 side provided with means for closing the opening after the device is arranged on a wearers leg, said closing means preferably being of the type in which fastener strips are secured together by a movable operating member. One function of the protectors is to keep the wearers legs from getting wetand cold. Necessarily the lower end of the protector body must securely engage the wearers foot. This is accomplished'by a pneumatic cushion normally urging a wedge shaped rubber shield against the wearers foot;

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Referring to the drawing forming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a persons leg with the protector applied thereto. Fig. 2 isa horizontal sectional View of the protector, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig.- 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on theline 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of a persons leg with a modified form of protector applied thereto.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sect onal view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4-. Fig. 6 is a side view of the protector shown in Fig. 4, but with the side opening thereof in o -en condition.

5 Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view of a per- The body member Serial No. 250,997.

sons legs with another modified form of protector applied thereto.

' Fig. 8 is a side View of the protector shown n Fig. 7, but with the side opening thereof in open condition.

Fig. 9 is a side View of another modified form of protector, a portion thereof being broken away to disclose interior parts.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of Fig. 9.

The reference numeral 12 indicates generally a wearers leg with a leg and stocking protector 13 engaged thereon. The protector ,13 consists of a body member 13' of waterproof material, of such length and shape so as to extend from a wearers angle to a small dis-' tance below the knee, and reinforced edges 14 and 15 arranged on the lower and upper edges respectively of the body member. These reinforced edges are formed by bending the material of the protector, clearly shown in Fig. 3, and then vulcanizing adjacent faces together. An arch strap 16 is attached to the bottom'of the body member.

The form of the protector illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, discloses a body member 13 completely encircling the wearers leg, and formed with an opening 17 provided with closing means 18 consisting of opposite fastener strips securable together by the movement of an operating member 18. The reinforced top and bottom edges 15 and 14 respectively are of single integral ring shaped members'bulged or thickened.

The form of the protectorillust-rated in Figs. 7 and 8 discloses a body member 13 and a top reinforcing edge 15 split open so as to allow the body member 13 to completely open as shownin Fig. 8. A strap 19 is attached to one end of the edge 15 and a c'o-act-able buckle 20 to the other end, as a means for securing the ends of the reinforcing edge to gether.

The form of the protector illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 discloses an air cushion 21 arranged along the lower edge 14. This cushion is formed by a thin'sheet of rubber 22 vulcanized to'the bottom of the body member 13 in bent condition so as to rovide an air chamber 23. Compressed air is entered into this chamber .thru an opening 24 which is thereafter sealed so as to form the said cushion. A rubber shield 25 is secured along itstop edge to the inner side of the body memher and a wedge shaped portion 26 projects 1. 0

from this shield. In operation, the wedge shaped portion of the shield is forced against a wearers foot by the pneumatic cushion 21, and this serves to prevent undesirable elements due to Weather conditions from entering beneath the protector.

While I'have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire States Letters Patent is:

1. A leg and stocking protector comprising a body member, a pneumatic cushion comprising a thin sheet of rubber attached to the bottom edge of the body member when in bent con ition so as to provide an air chamber containing compressed air, and a Wedge member connected with the body member and arranged for engagement with a. Wearers ,foot, and urged into engagement therewith by the pneumatic cushion.

'ing a body member, to secure by United chamber containing a wearers foot, and

'formed with a wedge shaped portion capable of engagement with a wearers foot, and

urged into engagement therewith by the pneumatic cushion.

3. A leg and stocking protector comprisa pneumatic cus ion comprising a thin sheet of rubber attached to the bottom edge of the body member when mob cut condition so as .to' provide an air compressed air, and a shield member attached at its upper edge to the body member, and formed with a wedge shaped portion capable of engagement with urged into engagement therewith by the pneumatic cushion.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

. RUDOLPH VRABEK. 

